Anyone Who Thinks Your 40s Are Too Late For A Fresh Start Hasn't Seen Adriana Lima's Glow-Up

Those who haven't seen Adriana Lima since 2023 were shocked by her September 18, 2026, appearance at a closing party for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Madrid's Reina Sofía Museum. With her dark espresso hair pulled into a high ponytail, soft, bronzey makeup, and an overall golden glow, she looked every bit the capital-S supermodel at 45 that she did at 25. For once, few even noted what the former Victoria's Secret Angel was wearing (it was a sleeveless, high-necked, strappy black gown by Juan Vidal, for your information).

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It's a far cry from the bold makeup and harsh styling that drew speculation about a potential plastic surgery mishap when Lima walked the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of "The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" in 2023. Lima, who had given birth to her third child the year before (the career implications of pregnancy and motherhood are so real for celebrities), was quick to hit back at critics, posting a selfie to her Instagram Story that she labeled, "The face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two pre-teens, one active boy, a 1-year-old learning to walk, and three dogs ... thanks for your concern." She's certainly having the last laugh now, proving it's always possible to reinvent yourself.

It's not as though Lima disappeared from the spotlight after the "Hunger Games" controversy, however. In fact, by 2024, she'd returned to the Victoria's Secret runway after a six-year hiatus, already looking like her old self. By the time she appeared again at the 2025 show, her transformation was nearly complete. She hadn't quite reached the golden-goddess status she achieved at Fashion Week, but she was definitely not out of place, proving that change doesn't happen overnight and progress deserves as much celebration as perfection.

Lima credits a strict self-care regimen for her post-40 glow-up. Once she'd recovered from pregnancy, she trained like an athlete — which, if you think about it, she kind of is. "I do sports for myself, because it makes me happy," she emphasized to Vogue Spain in 2024, explaining that she'd started incorporating cardio and weight sessions into the fun and games. "And I love infrared saunas; I try to go three times a week," she added.

Just as important as Lima's fitness routine, however, has been the celebrity's approach to aging with confidence. Though she admitted to Vogue Spain, "At 43, I have to work three times harder than before," noting, "I'm sure LeBron James and Tom Brady have had to do the same to get where they are," she insisted, "right now, I feel great." Now that's a glow-up.